Coil tail pulling apparatus



Jan. 10, 1950 Filed April l1, 1945 o. H. MCCLEARY 2,494,399

COIL TAIL PULLING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. l0, 1950 o. H. MGCLEARY con. TAIL PULLING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 1l, 1945 Jan. 10, 1950 o. H. MCCLEARY con. TAIL PULLING APPARATUS '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 lFiled April 11, 1945 Jan. 10, 1950 o. H, MCCLEARY conJ TAIL PULLING APPARATUS '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April ll,A 1945 O. H. MCCLEARY COIL TAIL PULLING APPARATUS Jan. 10, 1950 '7 Sheets-Shea*l 5 Filed April 11, 1945 Jan. l0, 1950 o. H. MCCLEARY 2,494,399

COIL TAIL PULLING APPARATUS Filed April ll, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 I gmc/nm 00H /Wc Vea/1g,

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Jan. 10, 1950 o. H. MccLEARY 2,494,399

COIL TAIL PULLING APPARATUS Filed April 1l, 1945 7 SheS-Sheeil '7 (7g. ff

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Patented Jan. 10, 1.9556

UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE 2,494,399 v coin'rAIL PULLING APPARATUS odd H. Mccleary, Ellwoba City, Pa.

Application April 11, 194.5, Serial No. 587,813

26 claims. (C1. 242-98) This invention relates generally to apparatus for straightening the outer end portion of coiled strip material and particularly concerns a coil tail pulling machine for sheet-metal processing plants.

In metal plants, especially plants manufacturing and treating sheets or strips of steel or brass, long metal sheets or strips are usually coiled after each rolling or treating operation to facilitate handling and transporting the material from one point to another. For example, in the manufacture of brass strips, the strip material is tightly wound into a coil to facilitate handling during the annealing process. After the metal is annealed, the coil may be easily transported from the annealing furnace to the pickler. However, before the material can be fed into the pinch rolls of the pickler, the tail end portion must be pulled away from the tightly wound coil.

In some cases, the coil is carried to a point adjacent the picliler or other apparatus, then the tail end portion is pulled away from the coil and inserted directly into the pinch rolls for feeding the material. Other arrangements provide a separate coil tail pulling machine for unwinding and straightening the tail end portion of the coil. The coil is then removed from the tail pulling machine with its end portion extending so it may be fed into the pinch rolls of the next machine. Although some features of the present invention are applicable to all types of coil tail pulling machines, the invention more particularly relates to the last-mentioned type of machine.

A major object of the invention is to provide an improved coil tail pulling machine for use in conjunction with a continuous conveyer system.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved coil tail pulling machine for receiving a coil of strip material, unwinding and straightening the end portion of the coil and discharging the coil with its straightened end portion.

Another object of the invention is to provide a semi-automatic coil tail pulling machine employing a minimum number of manually controlled operations.

' A further object of the invention is to provide an improved coil tail pulling machine in which the tail end portion of a coil of strip material is straightened as it is unwound from the coil.

j A further object of the invention is to provide an improved coil tail pullingmachine which conserves floor space by pulling the end portion of aV coil. of strip material in a verticaldirection.

" A further object of the invention is to provideV a coiltail pulling machine having an improved apparatus for clamping and holding a coil oi strip material as the end portion is unwound and straightened.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a'coil tail pulling machine having. an improved device for separating the tail of the coil from an adjacent convolution and then pulling the tail to unwind it.

Other objects and advantages of the invention, particularly with regard to the arrangement and cooperation of the various parts, will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a coil tail pulling machine embodying the invention, some parts being broken away for purposes of clearness;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line .2 2 of Fig. 1 and showing conveying apparatus associated with the machine;

Fig. 3 isa front elevation of the coil tail pulling machine shown in Fig. 1, some parts being broken away for purposes of clearness; Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the tail puller carriage incorporated in the machine, some parts being broken away for purposes of clearness;V

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the tail puller carriage shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the tail puller carriage shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged vertical section of a portion of the tail puller carriage taken on the line 1 1 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevation of the breaker roll carriage incorporated in the machine;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the breaker roll carriage shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the breaker roll carriage shown in Fig. 8; and

Fig. l1 is a schematic diagram showing the hydraulic system for operating some parts of the machine.

'According to the invention in its preferred form, a suitable support or cradle, such as a pair of rollers, receives the coil with its axis in a horizontal position and a hold-down device engages the opposite side of the coil to cooperate with the support for permitting rotation, but at the same time preventing vertical movement of the coll. Centering and clamping stops move longitudinally of the supporting rollers to centrally position the coil in the machine and prevent its rotation during certain portions of the operating cycle' l Y A tail puller carriage is vertically movable in the machine and carries a horizontally slidable head with a knife pivoted at its outer end for movement about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the coil on the support. The knife is normally urged by a spring, for example, to press against the outer convolution of the coil when the sliding head moves the knife to engage the coil. The supporting rollers are power-driven for turning theA coil about its axis until the tail' end portion passes the resilientl'y-urged knife. The knife is then driven downwardly to separatel the tail end from the adjacent convolution of the coil. A movable jaw is then closed!onzthetailrv end portion to grasp it, and the tail puller carriage is moved upwardly to unwind theend ofthe coil. As the end of the coil isunwound; abreaker roll carriage is positioned and a breaker roll. thereon is moved to engage and reversely bend' an unwound end portion for removing the curvature thereof. After the tailfend-portion has been sufficiently unwoundi ther jaw releases it and the coilf is discharged from the machine. Y

General structure.

The,r drawings illustrate: onel typey of coil tail pulling machine embodying the invention in its preferred form. Referring iirstzto Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that four centrallyzlocated columns II',. l2, I3v and I4" form the major vertical supporting members of themachine and are connected at their lower ends by a base frame I formedA of a number ofY channel members fastened together and` preferably secured' by suitableI anchor bolts in a pit IB: formedsin` a concrete foundation` I1'. One pair of-,vertical posts I8 and I9- arranged" in the front of the machine is slightly more: widely spaced than the front columns II and I4, anda secondpair of Vertical posts 2| and 22 is positionedi at the rear of columns.: I2 and' I3. These four posts form-additional' verticalzsupport and serve to-carry various devicesf of the machine,` as will: hereinafter be" described: The upper framework of the machine includes front and rear channel members 23` and 24 'extending' between side channel members ad 2B secured to the four vertical posts. The-side channel: members- 25 and 26' are also attached to the four vertical columns; as, for

example, byy caps 21fand;28?fastened.on the channel member 25. If desired;` rigidity may beimproved by arr intermediate channeli member 29 extending betweenI the side channel'members. 25 and 26.

In-between the frontposts- I8` and I9-andthe columns' II- and I4;` an elongated framework, designated generally' by the numeral 30, formed of channel members 3I andr 32fconnected-by end channel znemb'ers33- and= 34, isi secured by suitable anchor bolts to a raised portion 35-ofthe foundation I1. This frameworkserves as a base for end plates 31-A and 38,.in whichY a pair-of horizontally disposed supporting rollers Z39-'and 4I: is journaled. These rollers 39= and- 4 I are arranged to'receive acoilof strip-material asiit rolls down an' inclined shelf 42 supportedV adjacent to the rollers` by an angle member 43-extending between they endy plates 31 and 38 and a secondv angle member' 44 'extending between the f-ront.- posts I8 and I9. In order to-turn the coilabout-its own axis- 'to properly positionv its-y tail end portion in the machine, the supportingl rollers 39 and.: 4i may bef rotated as by a` motor 46' thaty drives through coupling 41 tof turn sprocketsy 11B-and 49; on shaft 5I, that drive chains 52 and 53 con- `4 nected to sprockets 54 and 55 on the rollers 39 and 4l, respectively.

When a coil, such as that indicated at 5I, is received by the supporting rollers 39 and 4l, it may be centered relative to other parts of the machine by a centering stop E2 pivotally coupled, as at 63, to a link B4 rotatably mounted at B5 to the framework 39. This centering stop 62 is connected by rod 6B to a piston in power cylinder 61 that is-pivotally supported, asr at 68, and may be connected by fluid conduits 59' and 1I through suitable controls to a source of hydraulic pressure. During certain portions of the operating. cycle, it is desired to prevent rotation of the coil 6I supported on the rollers 39 and 4I. For this purpose, a clamping stop 12 is supported by plates 13, 13 on rollers 14 and 15, which are arranged to travel in a track 16, carried between the end plates 31 and 38, for translating the stop 12 longitudinally of the supporting rollers. TheE clamping stop 12 may be coupled, as at 11, to-arod1-18 connected to apiston in power cylin-f der 19 that is supported on the framework 30 and-arranged tot be' connected by liuid conduits 8l and 82 through suitable controls to a sourcev of'hydraulicpressure'. When alloperations have been completed, the. power cylinder 61 retracts the centering stop 92,' which,` by the action ofY link t4,` lowers the stop 62. to the positionshown in dotted lines at62 in Fig. 3. The power cylinder 192` then' is controlled to move the clamping stop 1.2 longitudinally of they supporting rollers to its outermost position, as shown in dotted lines at 12." in Fig. 3. In this manner, the clampingstop 12 moves, the coil to the end of the supporting rollers to dischargeit from the machine onto a receiving. table 84 supported on theframework 30 and formedof parallel pairs of inwardly inclined rollers 85, 85: for transferring the coil to its next'operation.

In' order to hold the coil 6I on supporting rollers 39 and IH and at the same time permit r0- tation` of thevcoil about its own axis during un winding. operations, a hold-down mechanism is movable vertically to engage the upper portion of` the coil 9i, at a pointdiametrically opposite to thesupporting rollers 39and14l. This hold-- down mechanism includes a pairV of hold-down rollers 9:1 aind 92' journaledinend plates 93- and 9132.011l a-hold-down'fframe 95 pivotally connected, as-T at 96, to piston rod4 91' extending from power cylinderv 98. The powercy-lincler-98` is supported. on horizontalangle membersI IBI and |02 connected between channel membersV ID3 and 1.04- of aframework connected fby vertical channels v|05 and vIIll to an upper` frame. |01 attached. to the upper framework ofthe machine. The power cylinder' 98His connected by suitable fluid. conduits- I-Il andv II-2: to a source of hydraulicV or. other fluid-pressure,- controlled. by suitable. valves for raising and lowering thehold-down. mechanism.

' Tm'lfpuller carriage Aftenthe coil is placed onthe supporting rollers of the tail pulling machine, it is necessary to pry-the tailend-portion away from theadjacent convolutionandthen pull the tail end portion to unwindl it from the coil.v These operations are accomplished by mechanism carried on a tail` puller carriage, designated generally atV II5 and illustrated in greater detail inFigs. 4, 5 and-6. Thisftail puller carriagerconsistsof a framework formed of laterally extending channel members Imand I=11V` connected by channel' members II8 and ||9 extending longitudinally of the carriage. Four sleeve bearings |2I, |22, |23 and |24 are mounted by brackets |25, |26, |21 and |28 on the framework of the carriage for slidably supporting the carriage on the four vertical columns I2, I3 and I4, respectively.

When the sleeve bearings are properly arranged on the columns, the carriage is slidable vertically by four endless chains |3I, |32, |33 and |34 driven by electric motor |35 and connected to brackets |36, |31, |38 and |39, mounted on the channels ||6 and ||1, as shown in Fig. 4. The endless chains |3| and |34 in the front of the machine are driven by sprockets |44 and |45 on shaft |4| from gear box |42. The chains |32 and |33 in the rear of the machine are driven by sprockets |46 and |41 on countershaft |48, which is driven by a chain |49 connected between sprockets |5| and |52 on the shafts |4| and |48, respectively. The lower ends of each of the chains are connected to suitable sprockets, such as are shown at |53 and |54, mounted on shaft |55 journaled in the base frame I5. If desired, these lower sprockets may be carried by a mechanism for adjusting the slack in the chains.

The apparatus for engaging the tail end portion of the coil is carried by a head, designated generally at |51, which is slidable longitudinally of the tail puller carriage. This slidable head includes longitudinal channel members |58 and |59 connected by channel |69 and angle |56 extending laterally between the channels |58 and |59 to form a rigid framework for the head |51. Two pairs of angles |6| and |62, and |63 and |64, extending longitudinally of the carriage between channels ||6 and |I1, provide a track in which channel members |58 and |59 of the head |51 are slidable. For sliding the head |51 horizontally in the carriage, a power cylinder |65 is secured by brackets |61 and |68 to channels |69 and |1| mounted on the sliding head |51. This power cylinder is connected, as by suitable conduits |12 and |13, to a source of hydraulic pressure fluid and has its piston coupled by clevis I 15 on rod |14 to a bracket |16 mounted on the channel member ||6 of the carriage.

Pressure fluid supplied to the power cylinder |65 causes relative movement between the cylinder and its piston, thereby sliding the head |51 in the track formed on the tail puller carriage. The purpose of this sliding movement is to move a knife |18 into engagement with the coil 6|. The knife |18 is provided with a pair of rearwardly extending arms |19 and |89 mounting the knife on a shaft |8I, which extends transversely of the head |51 and is journaled in bearings on the channel members |58 and |59. To normally hold the upper portion of the knife |18 in engagement with a bar |83, disposed directly above the knife and extending transversely of the head, a tension spring |84 (Fig. 7) is connected between an eye |85 on the` angle |56 of the head and a similar eye |86 on arm |81 extending rearwardly from the knife |18.

When movement of the head |51 by operation of power cylinder |65 causes the knife |18 to engage coil s the knife is moved about the lateral axis of shaft |9| against the tension of spring |84, as shown in dotted lines at |18 in Fig. 4. While in this position, the coil 6| may be turned about its oWn axis by operation of motor 46 to drive the supporting rollers. As the tail end of the icoil 6| moves past the knife |18, the spring causes the knife |18 to snap over the tail end si. and engage the next adjacent convolution of the, coil.z,At .this point, the coil is properly positioned for the chains operated by the motor |35 to movethe carriage downwardly, thereby wedging-the knife |18 between the tail end and the next adjacent convolution of the coil 6| to pry the tail end portion away from the coil.A

In orderA to graspthe tail end portion so it may be pulled to unwind the coil, a movable jaw ISHl has a ,serratediface |92 adapted to cooperate with the serrated face v|93 of the knife |18 to provide a clamping device for grasping the tail end of the coil. The jaw |9| is carried by arms |94 and |95 mounted on a transversely extending shaft |96, which is also journaled in bearings on channel members |58 and |59 of the sliding head |51. This jaw is operated by a power cylinder |98 supported by brackets |99 and 29| on the lower flange of channels |69 and |1| of the sliding head. This power cylinder |98 has a piston actuated by pressure fluid, supplied by conduits 292 and 293, for translating piston rod 204, carrying a clevis 295 pivotally coupled at 296 to a central arm 201 extending from the jaw |9I, to move the jaw about the axis of shaft |96 for engaging the tail end portion of the coil.

Breaker roll carriage When the end of a metal strip is unwound from a coil, the stresses set up in the material during thewinding operation tend to curl the metal strip after it is unwound. In the present machine, for example, the tail end portion, upon being released by the jaw |'9|, would curl toward the coil to assume a curved position, presenting diiculties in feeding the material into pinch rolls for another operation. In order to have the tail end portion remain straight after it is pulled from the coil, a breaker roll 2| I is arranged on a breaker roll carriage, designated generally at 2|2, to engage and reversely bend the tail end portion of the coil as it is unwound. The breaker roll 2|| is so positioned that it bends the tail end portion an amount to neutralize the stresses set up duringthe coiling operation so the tail end portion will be straight when the jaw |9| is released.

The breaker roll carriage, as shown most clearly in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, has a main carriage frame composed of longitudinal channel members 2| 3 and 2I4 connected by front and rear transverse channels 2|5.and 2|6. This framework carries brackets 2|1, 2|8, 2|9 and 22 I, at its four corners, on which are mounted sleeve bearings 222, 223, 224 and 225 for slidably supporting the breaker roll carriage 2 I2 on the four vertical columns I I, |2, I3 and I4, respectively. The breaker roll carriage is arranged to be moved vertically on the vertical columns by the action of a power cylinder 226, which has a piston rod 221 coupled by clevis228 and pin 23| to channel members 232 and 233 arranged on the lower center portion of the carriages framework. The power cylinder is operated by fluid pressure, supplied through conduits 234 and 235 (Fig. 1), controlled by suitable valves as will hereinafter be more fully described.

To provide horizontal movement of the breaker roll 2I| for engaging and reversely bending the tail end portion of the metal strip, the breaker roll 2| is carried on the breaker roll carriage by a horizontally slidable head having a frame composed of longitudinal channel members 236 and 231 connected by lateral channel members 238 and 239. The head is supported to slide on the upper flanges of channel members 2 I3 and 2 4 arenoso or the. carriageframework by'plates; 240, and- 24st extending from the outside of the, webs of channel members 236. and 23,1', respectively. Plates 243: and 244 secured to the lowerl flanges.I of channels 236iA and` 23.1 are arranged to. engagez the lower facesA of plates 245 and 24B attached toY the inside of the webs of channels 213 and 2|4, respectively, for holding the sliding head om the4 carnage.

The breaker rollt 2| is journaled on a hexagonal shaft 241 mounted in brackets. 24.8 and .2.49: attached to channelsV 23E and 231. of the sliding.- head. These ybrackets are reinforced by an angle member 25 l extending between the brackets parallelf to the roll 2| I.

Horizontal movement of the sliding head and roll( 2|"| is controlled by a, power cylinder 242 earried on the sliding head by centrally located channels 250 and 250 extending between the. transverse channels 238 and 239;. The power cylinder 242 is secured on the central; channel members 255 and 256 by suitable. brackets 253 and 256 at. each end. Thel piston in theA power`- cylinder 242 is coupled by piston rod.- 251, clevis 258" and pin 259. to an arm 25| extending upwardly from the carriage and rigidly supported thereonby an angle member 252 carried between longitudinal framework channels 213 and 2|4. Movemen-t of the piston in power cylinder 2.42 is, controlled by fluid pressure, supplied from a suitable. source, through conduits 254 and 255which. are connected to controlling valyes. thatwill here-- inafter be described.

As, the tail puller carriage. moves upwardlyto1 unwind the tail end portion ofthe coil, the power cylinder 226 moves the breaker roll carriage upwardly toa predetermined positionv above the center of the coil, rPhe sliding head is. then moved. forwardly to cause the breaker roll 2|| to engage` the, tail end portion of. the coil and reverse,- ly bendit as it is. unwound. In order to` accompl-ish: this, the breaker roll is` positioned as, shownj indotted lines at 2| I' inFig., 1 and. indotted lines; in- Eig. 8. When the breaker rollA is retractedl and the jaw t9 I: is released, the:A tail.. end portion of the coilwill assume a substantially straight. and vertical position. extending tangentially from the circumference of4 theA coil.

HydraulicV system The hydraulic system; for controlling thevari-- ous power cylindersv of the machine shown:

schematically in Fig. 1l. Thissystem. includesa. suitable: hydraulic pump 26k driven; for example,

by' an. electric motor 262 through a suitable coui pling 263. The output ot the pump connectedi to pressure. line 2&4. and its input connectedi through line 265 to a sumpiZB serving. as' a. resi-A ervoirto: receive overflow fluid` andi supply addi-` tional iuicl to the system. Thepressure line12641 may be connected through a. safetyv relief valveA 261: and a by-pass valve 268` controlled. by sole-- noid 269 for by-passing the output: of' thepumpi by way of conduit 21| to exhaustlineli The solenoid' 259' isenergized by a. manually.VV operable.A push button on control panel 212 (Fig, 2) atzthe beginning. of the operation of the machine. When the solenoid. 259 is energizedg-the-.by-pass-1 valve. 268.' is closed and` pressure fluid. from. the conduit 26,4 is supplied to-.mainpressureline-213;. which is connected to the various control yal-ves:l for. the power'cylinders ofthe machine.

Pressureuid is iirst supplied from the line 2133 byY conduit 2:14 to operating valve 215, which isA selectivelyv actuated by solenoids 216. andi 2111: for

8. supplying pressure Huid' to conduits 15|f and 6e, respectively, connected to the; power cylinder 61' for the centering stop 62. When pressureA fluid issupplied to one ofthese conduits, the operating valve 2`t5 is positioned to connect the other one to exhaust conduit.2-8U, which. is connected to the exhaust. line; 28|. The` same. push button that controls: solenoid: 259; also controls the.

solenoid 2.16- for causing. an outward stroke ofY the piston in power cylinder 61,. thereby moving thecentering stop 62 toward the coil. Another push. button. on vthe control-f panel may be operated to. energize the solenoid 2-:1'1 for moving the piston, and thereby the centering stop` 62', in the. opposite directionautomatic operation of the machine.. it. is; desired tofwithdram the; centering stop 62I when the;V tt is closed to clamp or grasp the tail. end portion of the coil. To accomplish. this, a.

, limiti switch 218. is. mounted on the: angle-r mem.-

ber` [5501i the. frameworkof the sliding head |351: on; thetail puller carriage.. As the jaw ISI moviesv toward theftaiil endportiongof the coil, the, resultant anti-lation or limit switch 2.1.8 energizes sole,- ncid 21.1?, therebyV supplying pressure: fluid by way of conduit 69 to retract the piston in powercylmeer When the centering clamp; 62f reaches its. retracted. position, linkv 64; actuates limit switch. fl-9.v (Fig. 3) to; automatically de-energize` solenoid 2111;..

v The power cylinder 1.19: for theA clamping stop 1.2 is controlled by operating valve 28.3-, whichk connected byY conduit 2.84- to; the; main pressure. line 21e and by conduit, 2185.- to the exhaust line- 284.; A push. button on the control panel 21.2 energizes solenoid- 236,y to supply pressureY fluid. through. conduit 2-81 andi pressure` control valve 28.8; tothe conduit 8.2., Since the. area.A ait theA rod4 end of the pistonY is. smaller.. the pressure fluid` in line 2.8%, causes a forward stroke of the pistonin. power cylinder 7:9: and moves the clampingI stop 1,-2. toward the coil 8|. As the-piston moves; forward, itforces fluidfrom thev rod'. end of thel pwer'cylinder 19 through conduit. 81'y backv into the line, thereby increasing the rate of :dow of duid. to.. conduit 2.8.1. rllhis is desiredv because; it causes. a moreY rapid forward strokeo the piston in. cylinder 'L9 to quickly position the clamping stop12.

When the stop 12: engages: the side of the coil, it. cooperates `with the. centering stop 62' tohold the coil, the. clamping pressure being controlled; byI pressure control Valve 288- to retain the coil in a desi-red position. Incase the pressure; of the fluid. conduit 2.3i` exceeds the desired pressureV tor the clamping stop, the pressure control valve 23.8 is. controlled by springl tension to passA only thefdesired. pressure tothecylinder 19; To permitareturny stroke of thel piston in powercylinder 15B, the conduit 82- is connected throughcheck val-yel 29.65110 the conduit 281 for by-passingrtheA pressure control valve 288.

When the limit switch 213v is actuated: to retract the; centering: stop 62, itl deenergizes the solenoid 285 so the piston in the power cylinder charged: from the supporting rollers, the cla-mp-Vv 75' ingstop: 121 actuatesa limit switch 293 (Figi. 3)-,

Vadscritas tail puller carriage, is connected by the conduits |12 and |13 to operating valve 295, which is connected by conduit 296 to the main pressure line 213 and by conduit 291 to the exhaust line 28| When it is desired to move the knife |18 to engage the outer convolution of the coil, a push button on the control panel 212 is operated vto energize solenoid 298, which supplies pressure fluid to the conduit |12 for causing a forward stroke of the piston in power cylinder |65. When the knife engages the outer convolution of the coil, it'pivots about the axis of shaftA |8| against the tension of the spring |84. This pivotal action moves an arm 30| (Fig. 7) ,which is mounted on the knife |18 so it engages an arm 303 on limit switch 304, which ismounted on the angle member |56 of the sliding head. Thus, pivotal movement of the knife |13, upon engagement with the coil, actuates limit switch 304, which de-energizes the solenoid 298 to arrest forward motion of the knife.

After the tail pulling operation is completed and the jaw has released the coil, upward movement of the hold-down mechanism actuates limit switch 306 (Fig. 1), by engagement of projection 301 on the bracket 95 with arm 308 of the limit switch 306, to energize solenoid 309, which operates valve 295 to'supply pressure to conduit |13 for retracting the piston in power cylinder |65, thereby moving the sliding head inwardly on the tail pullercarriage. Subsequently, retraction of the sliding head n the breaker roll carriage causes bracket 3|| (Fig. 9) on the channel member 239 to engage arm 3|2 of limit switch 3|3, which de-energizes thesolenoid 309.

Operation of the power cylinder 98 for moving the hold-down rollers 9| and 92 is controlled by operating valve 3|5, which is connected by conduit 3|6 to the pressure line 213 and by conduit 3|1 to the exhaust line 28|. The conduit for the cylinder 93 is connected through pressure' control valve 3 l 8 and conduit 3| 9 tothe operating valve SI5. To relieve excessive pressure, a relief valve 32| is connected between the conduit l l and the exhaust line 28|. The conduit H2 is connected through a pilot actuated check valve 322 andconduit 323 to the operating valve 3| 5.

When it is desired to move the hold-down mechanism downwardly to engage a coil on the supporting rollers 39 and 4|, a push button on the control panel 212 is operated to energize solenoid 325, which operates the valve 3|5 to supply pres'- sure to the conduit 3|9. The pressure supplied to conduit is controlled by pressure control valve 3|8, so when the hold-down rollers engage the coil they maintain a constant pressure there When the tail puller carriage reaches itsy uppermost position, a projection 33| (Fig. l) on the channel member ||6 of the tail puller carriage engages arm 332 to actuate limit switch 333 on the post 22, which de-energizes the solenoid 325 and thereby removes the pressure on the piston in power cylinder 98., ilctuation of the limit switch 333 also energizes solenoid 334, which operates the control valve 3I5 to s-upply pressure through conduit |2 to the opposite end oi the power cylinder 98. The piston in this power cylinder then moves the hold-down mechanism upwardly until the projection 301 (Fig. 1) on the bracket 95 engages the arm 308 to actuate the limit switch 306, which de-energizes the solenoid 334 and thereby retains the hold-down mechanism in its uppermost position. To permit the exhaust of fluid from the conduit during the upward stroke of the piston in the power cylinder 98, a check valve 336 is connected in a by-pass -between the conduits I l and 3 9 around the pressure control valve 3|8.

Since there may be some leakage in the operating valve 3|5, the pilot controlled check valve 322 is connected between the lower end of the cylinder 98 and the operating valve to prevent the piston in the cylinder 98 from drifting downwardly when it should remain in its upper position. This check valve 322, when closed, locks the fluid in the lower end of the cylinder Y98. The check opens to admit fluid through conduit ||2 to the cylinder for moving the piston upwardly. In order to permit discharge of uid from the lower end of the cylinder when pressure fluid is supplied through conduit 3|9 to move the piston downwardly, a pilot line 328-is connected to the conduit 3|9 to open the check valve 322 when the pressure in the conduit 3|9 exceeds a predetermined minimum.

The power cylinder |98, which controls operation of the clamping jaw |9| to grasp and release the tail end portion of the coil, has one end connected by the conduit 202 through pressure control valve 338 and conduit 339 to operating valve 34 which is connected by thhe conduit 203 to the opposite end of the power cylinder. The operating valve 34| is connected by conduit 342 to the pressure line 213 and by conduit 343 to the exhaust line 28|. When it is desired to move the jaw to grasp the tail of the coil, a push button on the control panel 212 is operated to energize solenoid 344, which operates the control valve 34| to supply pressure fluid through conduit 339, pressure control valve 338 and conduit 202 to the power cylinder |98 for causing a forward stroke of the piston to movey thel jaw I 9| toward the knife |18. This pressure is continuously controlled by the valve 338 to apply a constant pressure on the tail of the coil during the pulling operation.

As the tail puller carriage moves upwardly to unwind the tail end portion of the coil, the projection 33| (Fig. 1) engages arm 345 to actuate limit switch 346 on the post 22, which de-energizes the solenoid 344 and energizes solenoid 341 -to supply pressure through conduit 203 to the opposite end of the power cylinder |98. This moves the piston in the power cylinder to retract the jaw |9|, thereby releasing the tail end of the coil. As the breaker roll 2| is retracted, projection 319 (Fig. 8) disengage'sV arm 38| of switch 382 on the breaker roll carriage to de-energize solenoid 341 so the jaw |9| is retained in its open position. To permit the exhaust of fluid from the conduit 202, a by-pass is provided through check valve 35| to the conduit 339.

An operating valve 352 for controlling the power cylinder 226, which moves the breaker roll carriage vertically, is connected by conduit 353 to the pressure line 213 and by conduit 354 to the exhaust lniev 2S i, The conduit 235 from the rod end of the cylinder 228 is connected through the conduit 353 directly to the pressure line 213. A pilot operated check valve 38,3 is'connected between V` asociado the y'conduit 231i Afrom the Vlower end of the 'cylin- 'der and the conduit 362 rorn the operating 'valve "3572. This check 'valve `operates 'in the same-inan- 'ner as the 4check valve 32275130 prevent drifting oi the 'piston 'in cylinder 226, thereby holding the breaker roll carriage `in any desired position. A pilot line 312 is connected between the valve 363 and one port of the operating valve 352 toopen the check valve 363 when -it is desired to exhaust A-iiuid from the lower fend of the cylinder 223-.

After a coil is deposited on'the 'supporting rollers, it is necessary 'to move the breaker roll carriage downwardly. "This is controlled by a push button on the panel 212, which energizes solenoid 355 to operate valve 352 for supplying pressure to the Vpilot line V312 vwhich opens valve 363 to exhaust pressure fluid 'from cylinder 226 'so the piston inoves the breaker roll carriage downwardly. 'During downward motion of the breaker roll carri'age, projection 351 (Figf-l) on thefchannel Inein ber 42 IB of the carriage engages arm 353 to actuate limitswitch 359 'on the post 2|, which ie-energi'zes the solenoid 355, thereby stopping 'the breaker'roll lcarriage in its lowerrnost position. As the tail 'pulling operation begins, another push button on the panel '212 is operated to energize solenoid 35|, which operates valve l352 to supply pressure fluid through `conduit y362 and valve y353 to the 'conduit 23H for vbeginning upward Inovement of the 4breaker roll carriage. Since fluid 'from the rod ve'ndof v'i'jlie cylinder '22B is piped back "to the pressure conduit 353, the upward speed of the piston is increased in a manner similar to that explained in xconnection with the cylinder 19. As

thebreaker rol-1 carriage moves upwardly, the proz jection l351 engages arm 364 (Fig. l) 'to actuate limit switch 3'65 on'the post 2|, which de-energizes the solenoid 33| to arrest upward motion of the carriage.

vvAfter the tail pulling operation is'cornpleted retraction of the sliding head on the breaker 'roll carriage causes projection 36E (Fig. 9) on the channel 239 of the sliding head to engage arrn 361., which actuates limit switch 3738 mounted on the carriage. Actuation of Vthe limit switch v*3623"energ'izes solenoid 355 to again start downward movement of the breaker roll carriage. As the carriage moves downwardly, the projection v351 engages lever 369 (Fig. l), which actuate's limit switch 31| on the post 2| to de--enegize the solenoid 355, thereby stopping the breaker roll 'in vposition to act as a stop for another coil as it `rolls onto the supporting rollers 39 and 4|. y

Operating valve 313 for controlling the power cylinder 242, which moves the sliding head in the ybreaker roll carriage to cause horizontal movement of the breaker roll 21|, is connected by conduit 314 to the pressure line 213 and by conduit 315 to the exll'aus't line 28|. When the upward movement of the breaker roll carriage causes the projection 351 to actuate the .limit switch 365, solenoid 311 is energized to operate valve 313 to supply pressure iluid to the conduit 255 for causing an outward stroke of the piston in the power cylinder 242, thereby moving the breaker roll to engage and reversely bend the tail end ,portion of the coil. Since the rod end of cylinder 2K2 is connected by the conduit 254 directly to the pressure conduit 314, the speed of the `forward .motion of the piston is increased. As the sliding head on the breaker .roll carriage Amoves the breaker` .roll 2|| to bend the tail of the coil, a bracket 318, carried by the sliding head, has a projection 319, which engages arm '381 of limit switch 382. The limit switch 3821s 'mounted in a sliding carriage 383 on the channel member 213 'o'f 'the breaker roll carriage. The sliding carriage '383 is adjustable longitudinally of Vthe breaker roll 'carriage by turning a crank 334 on lead 'screw 38'5, 'which is threaded in a nut 336 on the carriage 383. When the limit switch 38,2 is actuated, solenoid 311 is cie-energized 'tofarr'est movement of the breaker roll. The position in which the lorealirer roll 2li stops indicated at 21|' land is determined by the lon 'giti'idinal adjustment of the limit `switch 382. The position of the limit switch 382 'therefore determines the amount that the tail end portion of the coil is bent by the breaker roll .2| and may be adjusted so the breaker r'oll bends the tail in a reverse direction sufii'ciently to neu'- -tralize the 'stresses set up during the winding operation.

After a, coil is discharged from the supporting rollers, actuation vof `the limit switch '235 (Fig. 3'), by retraction oi 'the clamping stop 12, ener- 'g-izes solenoid 381, which operates valve 313 "to 'retract the piston in the 'cylinder "242. This operation vof the 'power cylinder 242 causesv retraction or" the sliding head and breaker roll 2H until the projection 366 on the sliding head `az'zt'uates the limit switch 368, which de-energizes the solenoid 381i to stop operation or the power cylinder 232.

Several sequence valves 39|, 392, '393 and A394 are inserted i-n the 'main pressure line l213 be- `tween the connections *for the various control `valves to 'cut off sections of the pressure line 213 until the pressure in preceding sections oi `'the line builds up to a certanm-inimurn.

Operation -In operation, vthe 'tightly wound coils may be transported from an annealing furnace, for example, along a suitable conveyor. If the coils are conveyed With their axes vertically disposed, they maybe fed singly onto a down-ender MH (Fig. 2) arranged to turn about the horizontal axis of pivot 92 so .-a coil, such as that indicated by a dotted line at 6|', may be turned on its side and fled onto a side tilter M14. This side tilter includes .parallel pairs of rollers B5 arranged in a V formation to form a table for supporting a coil on its side and provided with a bumper '431 having springs 408, 438 for absorbing the impact of a coil moving along the table from the down-ender 40|. The side tilter may be turned aboutthe axis of .pivot 406 (Fig. .1.) to roll the coil over the inclined shelf onto the supporting rollers 39 and v4| After the coil is placed Yon the supporting rollers 39 and 4|, the push button on the control panel 212 that controls the solenoid 215 is operated to center the coil by moving .it with the centering stop .82. This push button may be .provided with an inching control for exactly -`positioning the coil. As .previously explained, the same push button may also operate solenoid 269 .for closing the by-pass valve .268. The coil is then rotated to position the tail at a point just above .the horizontal center line of the coil .by operating an inching button on the control ,panel'212 that controls the motor YIii for turning the supporting rollers 39 and 4|. When the tail of the coil is properly positioned, a magnetic brake 488 .on the shaft of motor 46 is energized to lock the supporting rollers and thereby prevent rotational movement of the coil. l

When the coil vis rolled onto the supporting the motor 46.

rollers, the breaker roll carriage is kpositionedso the breaker roll 2| is disposed at approximately AVthe height of the horizontal center line of the coil to provide a stop for engagingthe coil so it will assume the desired position on the supporting closes the circuit for the driving motor |35 -to 'initiate downward motion of the tail puller carriage.v When the projection 351 on the breaker ment of the breaker roll carriage is arrested. Downward movement of the tail puller carriage stops when the projection 33| engages the arm 4|| to actuate limit switch 4|2, which breaks the circuit to the driving motor |35. In this position, the knife |18 on the tail puller carriage is arranged slightly above the center line of the coil.

The push button that controls the solenoid 298 is .then actuated so the power cylinder |65 moves the sliding head on the tail puller carriage toward the roller until the knife |18 engages the A-outer convolution of the coil and pivots about the'axis of shaft 18|, at which time the limit switch 304 is actuated by movement of arm 30| to cle-energize the solenoid 298. With the knife pivoted against the tension'of the spring v|84 on the tailpuller carriage, the motor 46 is again energized by the push button on the control panel to index the tail end portion of the coil past the edge of the knife. When the `tail passes the knife, the tension of the spring |84 snaps the knife against the next adjacent convolution. The sound of this snap provides a signal to the operator to release the push button and stop The operator then operates the push button that Ycontrols the solenoid 285 so the power cylinder 19 moves the clamping stop 12 against the coil to clamp it between the centering stop 62 and the clamping stop 12. In this manner the coil is restrained against movement longitudinally of the supporting rollers to prevent lateral and rotational movement of the coil. The push button that controls the solenoid 325 is next operated so power cylinder 98 moves the holddown rollers 9| and 92 onto the upper-portion of the coil and holds them there with a constant pressure determined by the pressure control valve SIS. The combined action of pressure reducing valve 318 and pressure relief valve32| for maintaining a constant pressure on a coil bythe hold-down rollers, permits vertical movements of the hold-'down rollers to compensate for eccentric portions of the coil without increasing or decreasing the pressure on the coil.

With the coil thus firmly held by the clamping and centering stops, as well as the hold-down mechanism, the motor |35 is energized by operation of a push button to drive the knife |18 downwardly between the tail end portion of the coil and. the next adjacent convolution thereof. The tension of the spring |84, resiliently holding the knife against said adjacent convolution, will cause the knife to feel its way between the tail end and the next convolution of the coil. Down- I ward motion of the tail puller carriage and the knife `|18 is arrested when theprojection 33| Aon the tail puller carriage actuates limit switch 4|3 to open the circuit for the motor |35. The operator then pushes the button on the control panel that energizes the solenoid 344 to move the -roll carriage actuates limit switch 359, the sole- Anoid 355 is de-energized and the downward movefil clamping jaw 19| so the tail end of the coil is grasped between the knife |18 and the jaw `|9I. The jaw I9I maintains a constant pressure on -the tail of the coil under the control of valve 338.

As the jaw I9I moves to grasp the coil, the limit switch 218 is actuated to de-energize the solenoid 286 and also to energize the solenoid 211 for retracting the centering stop 62. As the centering stop retracts, it actuates the limit vswitch 219 to de-energize the solenoid 211 and 4the coil. The samepush button energizes the `motor 46, which rotates the supporting rollers 39 and 4| to turn the coil as the tail end portion is pulled away. This same push button also energizes the solenoid 36| to begin upward motion of the breaker roll carriage, which continues until the projection 351 engages the limit switch 365 to'de-energize the solenoid 36|, stopping upward motion of the breaker roll carriage. Actuation of the limit switch 365 energizes the solenoid 311 to move the sliding head of the breaker roll carriage and the breaker roll 2H to engage and reversely bend the tail end portion of the coil that has been unwound. Inward motion ofthe breaker roll is arrested by actuation of the limit switch 382, the position of which is adjusted, as

ypreviously explained, to provide the Ycorrect amount of reverse bending for the tail of the coil to neutralize the stresses set up during the winding operation.

When the tail puller carriage has unwound a suflicient amount of the tail end of the coil, the

projection 33| actuates the limit switch 346,

which de-energizes the solenoid 344 and energizes the solenoid 341 to release and retract the jaw ISI. The position of the tail puller carriage at this time is indicated at II5, and the knife and jaw are indicated. at |18 and 19|', respectively. Actuation of the limit switch 346 also opens the circuit for the motor i6 to stop movement of the supporting rollers. As the tail puller carriage continues its upward movement, the projection 33| actuates the limit switch 333, which opens the circuit for the motor |35 to arrest upward movement of the tail puller carriage. Actuation of the limit switch 333 also de-energizes the solenoid 325 and energizes the solenoid 334 to'cause upward movement of the hold-down mechanism, which is arrested when the'projection 301 actuates the limit switch 306 to de-energize'the solenoid 334. Actuation of the limit switch 306 energizes the solenoid 309, which controls the power cylinder |55 to retract the sliding head and the knife |18 on the tail puller carriage.

' At this point, the operator operates the push .buttonthat energizes the solenoid 289 to push -the limit switch 294, which de-energizes the solenoid 292 and holds the clamping stop in its retractedA position. Actuation of the limit switch :15 -f294fstarts ,themotor |35 to drive the ,tail puller Y.carriage downwardly and alsofenergizes the ,soleincid f38`| to Iretract the Ysliding head and -the breaker roll 2l l on the breakerroll carriage until .-limit switches 43|3 land 36B are actuated. The

limit switch SBBvdeAenergi-zes the solenoid 38T and fenergizes the soleno-id 355 :to -begin downward movement .of the breaker roll carriage, which =continues until the projection 351 actuates the limit-switch 37|, which de-energizes thesolenoid 355to-stop-the breaker roll carriage iniposition-so :the breaker roll isarranged approximatelygat ithehorizontalicenter line to provide a bumper .for lthe next coil that is rolled onto the supporting lmllers. fenergizes the solenoid 309 to stop the sliding `head Iori-the tail puller carriage in its` retractedposition. Theactuation of the limit vswitch 31| 'also'de- :fenergizes the solenoid 269, which opens the =by- {pass valve. Downward kmovement of kthe tail puller-carriage is-.arrested when the protection -33I engages lever M5 to actuate limit switch4l4, which opens the ycircuit for the' motor |35.

The :construction described labove and illus-- ftrated in the the accompanying drawings is-the .preferred embodiment ofthe invention. As many :changes could bemade inthisconstruction withz-out departing from 'the scope of'the invention as redefined by the appended claims, it is intendedthat 'thefdescription and drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative Vandnot in a limiting sense.

WhatI claim is:

-l. A coil tail pulling `machine comprising ka plurality -of Ahorizontally disposed rollers adapted aftoreceive a coil of `strip material, a tail `puller device movable laterally of said rollersiorlgraspfingithe tail end portion oisaidm-aterial, power means for moving said puller vdeviceawayirom `said rollersand the coil to unwind .saidtail fend portion, and driving means arranged iorfoperation .simultaneously with said'power lmeans to rotate fthe coil as'the tailendportion isywithdrawn.

2. A -coil tail pulling machine comprising a .plurality of horizontallydisposed rollers adapted *t0 receive a-coi1of strip material, 'atail puller .s

fdevice `for grasping the `tail -end portion of said .-material, driving means rfor `rotating said-rollers, .thereby turningsaid coil to permit said devicezto grasp said ltail end portion, .-power `means for .moving said-puller device in a path away romsaid rollersand thecoil to unwindsaidtail endpointion,3and a -breaker roll movable in a direction -normalfto said path and arrangedfto engage fthe .exterior fsurface .of the istrip material between said tail-puller ,device and the coil Wto v.reversely Ybend saidtail ,end porticnzto remove curva-turchi :said material as it is unwound.

,3. A coil Vtail pulling machine comprising fa Nplurality of horizontally disposed rollersadapted .to receive-acoil of strip material, a hold-down lIdevice movable toward said rollers" to engage-the periphery of said coil for permitting rotation .while restraining vertical movement thereof, and =aftail puller device `movable: in arpath away.l from said rollers for grasping and pulling the'ztaillend fportionroi said `material 'to lunwind saidf'coil while itis rotatably'held-between said rollers .andfsaid :hold-:down device.

v4. A coil Ytail pulling machine ycomprising va plurality of horizontally disposed rollers adapted to receive a coil of strip material, a hold-down 'devicemovable toward said rollers "to engagelthe -periphery of said coil for permitting I'rotation @while -restraining vertical movement "thereof,

Actuation Aof the limit switch 313 -de- ,Y

1'16 ifmentiwth .said :coil and maintaining a .constant ,pressure thereonand atail puller device mdvable in arpath away -f-rom said -rollers -ior grasping and pull-ing zthe @tail end portionof said material to :unwind lsaidlcoil `while` it is rotatably held between :said `rollers landfsaid hold-down device.

y5. ,A coil tail 4pulling :machine comprising @a yplurality of. horizontally disposed rollers'adapte'd nto :receive ,acoil of strip material, a'tail fpuller deviceifor-- grasping the tail end portion of said ffmaterial ,-a centering stop movable ylongitudinally v--ofssai'd lrollers to Vengage one Vside and move said `|:coilto acentralgpositionwith respect to saidde- .viceflandfa hold-.down device Amovable towardfsaid i-rollers to vengagefithe periphery'of the vcentered .coil ,for 4permitting rotation While restraining ,vertical movement thereof, power means vfor movring-.Said puller device along'a path awayifromthe v:coil and said rollers-while thecoil is rotatably held between-said, rollers and said 4hold-down device .to Vunwind 2the ,'coil.

6. A coil tail pulling machine comprising .1a ,fpluralityfof ,horizontally disposed frollers fadapted zto'receive a Ycoil of fstripmaterial, a vtail puller device having a movable jaw for grasping the-tail fend portion of 4said material, a centering stop movable longitudinally of said rollers Vto-engage n.onefside and move said coil to a central position =.with -respect to said device, a `power-operable @clamping stop movable longitudinally oi .-sald frollers to engage-the opposite side of the coilfor ipreventing rotationfthereof, and means vactuated bygclosingfmovement of said jaw for causingwith- ':d-rawal of one ofsaid stops to release the coil.

`V7. .A coil tail pulling machine comprising Ia :plurality of horizontally disposed rollers adapted -toreceive a coil of strip material, a tail puller rdevice for rgrasping the tail end portion of said material, a centering stop movable longitudinally :of-'said'rollersto engage one side and move said :coil toa-central position with respectto said deavice, .a 'hold-down device movable ,toward said rollers to engage the periphery of the centered :coil Vfor permitting rotation while restraining vvertical movement thereof, and a power-operable clamping stop movable longitudinally of said rollers to engage the opposite side of the coil ,for preventing rotation thereof, power means for moving said puller device along a path away from A'tliecoil and ,said rollers while the coil is rotatably lheld between said `rollers and said hold-down "device to unwind the coil.

,'8. A coil tail 4vpulling machine comprising Aa plurality of. horizontally disposed rollers adapted itogreceive a coil of strip material, a tail puller deivice for grasping the tail `endportion of said material, a centering stop movable longitudinally of said rollers to engage one sideand move said coil `to a centralposition with respect to said device, and a lpower-.operable clamping stop Amovable Vlongitudinally of said rollers to engage the opposite side of thecoil `for .preventing longitudinal movement thereof, said clamping stop being operiableupon removal of said centering stop to move ulongitudinally of the rollers for discharging the `coil .from the machine.

e9. A coil tail pulling machine comprising a :support adapted to receive and hold a coil of strip fmaterial, -a'tail puller device having a movable `jaw for grasping the tail end portion of said mafterial, power-operable clamping mechanism movable-relative `to said support to engage 4the coil preventing longitudinal movement thereof,

-power Vmeans for moving said device intofengage- 75 Iand means actuated -by movement of 'said jaw to, grasp said tailend ,portionzfor controlling said clamping mechanism to releasesaid coil.

, 10. A coil tail pulling machine` comprising a support adapted to receive and hold a coil of strip material, a tail puller. device havingv relatively movable jaws for grasping the tail end portion of said material, power means for moving said puller device along a path away from said support 4to unwind' said tail'end portion, and means actuated by'movement of said device to a predetermined lposition for causing said relatively movable jaws to open and release-said tail end portion.

l L n 11. A coil tail pulling machine comprisinga plurality of horizontally disposed .rollers adapted to receive a coil of strip material, ahold-down device movable toward said rollers for engaging saidvcoil to prevent vertical movement thereof, a tail puller device for grasping .the tail end por-j tion of said material, power means for lmoving said puller device tounwind said tail end portion, means actuated by movement of said puller device to a predetermined position for causing said puller device to release said tail end portion, and means actuated by further'movement of said puller device for causing movement of said holddown device away from said'coil.

12. A coil tail pulling machine comprising a plurality of horizontally disposed rollers adapted to receive a coilof strip'material, a tail Ypuller device forgrasping Vthe 'tail end portion of said material, power means for moving said puller device to unwind said tail'end portion, a movable stop for engaging one side of 'said coil to discharge it from said machine longitudinally of said rollers, and means actuated by movement of said stop to the end of said rollers for causing retraction of said stop.' 1 13. A' coil tail'pulling r'n'a'chne comprising va plurality of horizontally disposed rollers adapted to receive a coil of strip material, a tail puller device for grasping the tail end portion of said material, power means for moving said puller device in a direction away from said rollers to unwind said tail end portion, a movable stop for engaging one side of said coil to discharge it from said machine longitudinally of said rollers, means actuated by movement of said stop to the end of said rollers for causing retraction of said stop, and means actuated by retraction of said stop for operating said power means to return said puller device toward said rollers.

14. A coil tail pulling machine comprising a support adapted to carry said coil for rotation about its axis, a carriage movable vertically relative to said support, a head slidable horizontally on said carriage transversely of said axis, means on said head for grasping the tail end portion of the coil, and driving means for moving said carriage vertically to unwind said tail end portion.

15. A coil tail pulling machine comprising a puller device for grasping and pulling the tail end portion of a coil of strip material in the direction of a tangent to said coil between said puller device and the coil, and a breaker roll arranged to engage the exterior surface of the strip material to reversely bend said end portion in a direction substantially normal to said tangent to remove the curvature of said end portion as it is withdrawn from the coil.

16. In a coil tail pulling machine, a puller device comprising a carriage, a head slidable on said carriage, a laterally disposed knife mounted on said head for pivotal movement about a lateral axis upon engagement with the outer convolution of a coil, resilientmeans connected to saidknife for resiliently forcing said knife against said outer convolution, power means .connected between said carriage and said headfor sliding said headto move said knife into engagement with the outer convolution of said coil, andmeans actuated by movement of said-,knife upon engagement .with said outer convolution for controlling said power means to stop sliding movement of said head.`

17. In a coil tail pulling lmachine, a puller device comprising. a carriage,..ahead slidablefon said carriage, a laterally disposed vknifevcarried by said head for engaging the tail end portion of a coil, a movable jaw carried by said head adapted tocooperate with saidknifevto grasp said tail end portion, and power means on said head for operating said jaw to grasp said tail end portion and maintain a constant pressure thereon.

18. In a coil tail pulling machine, a puller de.- vice comprising a carriagea head slidable on said carriage, a-laterally disposed knife carried by said head for engaging the tail end portion of a coil, driving means for moving said carriage in one direction to force said knife between said tail end portion and an adjacent convolution of said coil, a movable jaw carried by said head adapted to cooperate with said knife to grasp said tail end portion, and power means on said head for operating said jaw to grasp said tail end portion, said driving means being operable to move said carriage in the opposite direction for pulling said tail endportion to unwindrsaid coil. l

19. In a coil tail pulling machine, a puller device comprising a carriage,- a head slidable on said carriage, a laterally disposedknife carried by said head for engaging the tail end portion of a coil, motive means connected between said carriage and said head for sliding said head to move said knife into engagement with said tail end portion, driving means for moving said carriage to force said knife between said tail end portion and an adjacent convolution of said coil, a movable jaw carried by said head adapted to cooperate with said knife to grasp said tail end portion, and power means on said head for operating said jaw to grasp said tail end portion and maintain a constant pressure thereon.

20. In a coil tail pulling machine, a puller device comprising a carriage, a head slidable on said carriage, a laterally disposed knife mounted on said head for pivotal movement about a lateral axis upon engagement with the outer convolution of a coil, resilient means forcing said knife toward said coil to maintain said knife in engagement with said outer convolution during movement of the tail end of said coil past said knife, and driving means for moving said carriage to force said knife between said tail end portion and the adjacent convolution of said coil.

21. In a coil tail pulling machine, a puller device comprising a carriage, a head slidable on said carriage, a laterally disposed knife mounted on said head for pivotal movement about a lateral axis upon engagement with the outer convolution of a coil, resilient means forcing said knife toward said coil to maintain said knife in engagement with said outer convolution during movement of said head to cooperate with said knife for grasping said tail end portion, said driving means being operative to move said carriage in the opposite direction forA pullingsaid-taitend portion to un wind7 said -coih 22;4 In a coiltaild pulling-Y machine having a movable pullendevioe, a straightening-device comprising-a carri-age movable alongfsubstantially the same path as said puller device, a slidable head on said carriage, andra breakerroll mounted on said head forrotation abouta transverseaxis, said breaker roll being adapted to engage and reversely bend the` taillendi portion of a coil as it isunwound to removethecurvature thereof.

23a In a coil; tailf pulling machine havinga movable pullerdevice, a straightening device comprising-a carriagemovable along substantially the sameV path as said puller device, aslidable head on said carriage, a breaker roll mounted on said head for-rota-tionabouta transverseaxis, and power meansconnectedbetweenfsaid carriageand said head for movingsaid breaker roll to` engage and reverse1yloend'-v sag-id tail; end: portion as it su-nwound;A

- 24. Infacoil-'pulling machineihavinga movable puller device, a straightening device. comprisingf a; carriage, driving meanefocmovingfsaidcarriage aloneL substantiallve the same path as said puller device, a slidable head on saidl carriage, a breaker roll; mounted@ on saidehead for" rotation about a) transverse axis, and` power meanstconnected loetween saidcarriageand said head and` operated by--movement of saidcarriagetoa predetermined position forsliding-said; head tomove said roll; tox engage and reversely bend`the taill end; portion or a coi1- as it` is` u-nvvound- 25; Ina coil= puliingg machinehavingA a movable pullendevice, a straightening device comprisingy a carriage,l driviI-lg` means for movingy said carriage along substantially the same pathv as said puller device, a slidable head onsaid carriage, a

breaker roll! mounted on said head' for rotation about a transverse axis; power means connected betweensaid. carriageandtsaid head and; operated by movement'ofvfsaid carriageytoa predetermined positiont forslidingrsa-id head to move. said' roll to engageV and: reversely-` bend :the tailf endE portion of a coil. asitis unwound, and-'adjustable limit stop means actuated bymovement of` said head to apredeterminedposition forcontrollingsa-id power means to. arrest saidf movement;

26.' A machinevfor-unvvnclinfr-the tail`r end'-V por tion offa coitoffstrip materiar comprising asup-g port for the coil, a puller device movable away fromlsaid support a direction tangent to the coil forunfwimiin@the tailend portion thereof-j' andra breakerroll@ movable. toengage the outer surfaceof the tailvendportionbetween said device and' the coilsto-fiex-the-strip material inwardlyasv itis unwoundf, in,- a manner toA straighten said end,v portion.

l'e off-his pax-*tenu UNITEEJ STAiTESI BATENTSI 

